MASTERS-BOUND
ADAM SCOTT
Previous appearances: 18. Best: Won (2013). The Masters Champion of 2013 had fallen to No.77 in the Official World Golf Ranking just 18 months ago. But he has rediscovered some of his best form to rise to World No.7 at the time of going to print.
The Queenslander won the Australian PGA Championship at the backend of 2019 – and then ended his 47-month winless drought on the US Tour by claiming The Genesis Invitational in February.
Scott has made 16 of 18 career cuts at Augusta – earning him upwards of US$3,500,000 – and posted 10 top-25s, including five top-10s. He was T18 here last year after shooting rounds of 69, 68, 72 and 73, and his world-class ball-striking always serves him well.
LUKAS MICHEL
Previous appearances: Debut. Best: N/A. Michel will make his Masters debut this month, courtesy of his historic victory at the US Mid-Amateur Championship last October.
The Metropolitan Golf Club member, who works at the Melbourne Golf Academy driving range, defeated American Joseph Deraney in the 36-hole final at Colorado Golf Club to become the first-ever international winner in the event’s 39-year history.
“It doesn’t seem real right now, but I can’t wait for the opportunity and the experience of The Masters,” Michel told AAP.
“As a kid growing up in Australia, watching The Masters final round on a Monday morning is pretty much the best morning of the year.”
JASON DAY
Previous appearances: Nine. Best: Runner-up (2011). Of all the Australian players listed here, Day possesses the most consistent record at Augusta National, making eight of nine career cuts and posting seven top-25s.
The former World No.1 also boasts three top-five finishes, including his joint runner-up effort – alongside his countryman Scott – in 2011 during his maiden Masters appearance.
However, despite claiming The Challenge: Japan Skins in October last year, Day hasn’t won an official event for nearly two years and has dropped to World No.45.
The Queenslander’s lingering back issues make it difficult to gauge how, or whether, he is going to play at certain events. But Day shared fifth place at The Masters last year thanks to rounds of 70, 67, 73 and 67 and his high ball flight suits the course perfectly.
CAMERON SMITH
Previous appearances: Three. Best: T5 (2018). Those who watched the 26-year-old defeat Justin Thomas in Sunday singles at the Presidents Cup last year probably weren’t surprised to see him win his first solo PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in early January.
The Queenslander rose to World No.31 with his victory and continues to mature on and off the course.
Smith’s record at The Masters is hit and miss – T55 (2016), T5 (2018) and T51 (2019) – but he has never missed the cut and his share of fifth in 2018 came from impressive rounds of 71, 72, 70 and 66.
The two-time Australian PGA champion has an exceptional wedge game – one which Leishman believes is up there with the best in the world – that becomes extremely valuable into the dramatic Augusta greens.